synergy

[sin-er-jee]

noun

plural

synergies 

1. the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.; synergism.

2. Physiology, Medicine/Medical.,  the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves, or the like.

3. Biochemistry, Pharmacology.,  the cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs.

synergy

/ sɪˈnɜːdʒɪk, ˈsɪnədʒɪ /

noun

1. Also called: synergism. the potential ability of individual organizations or groups to be more successful or productive as a result of a merger

2. another name for synergism

Other Word Forms

• synergic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of synergy¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin synergia, from Greek synergía, from synerg(ós) “working together” ( synergism ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of synergy¹

C19: from New Latin synergia, from Greek sunergos; see _synergism

Example Sentences

"We are aware that local authorities apply differing eligibility criteria and would encourage synergies so that families on similar income levels in different areas are treated fairly."

From BBC

ABF said the deal would lead to "significant costs synergies and efficiencies" in an effort to create a sustainably profitable bread business.

From BBC

Headquarters are, more often than not, just beige office parks where people say things like “synergy” and “Q4 snack innovation.”

From Salon

But every cartoon creates its individual grammar, its dynamic, its world, its synergy between the image and the actors, its level of awkwardness of slickness.

From Los Angeles Times

“I recognized that I wasn’t up to watching talented colleagues being asked to exit in order to achieve the cost synergies that were promised to investors,” Ouimet wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• teamwork 

When To Use

What does synergy mean?

Synergy refers to when an interaction of elements produces an effect that is greater than the effect that would have resulted from simply adding up the effects of each individual element.In other words, synergy is what happens when a combination of things produces an effect or result that is said to be “greater than the sum of its parts.”When you combine things—chemicals, ingredients, people—you often expect these things to interact in a certain way based on what has been included. But when something extra happens, something greater, this is synergy. Synergy implies that the magic is in the combination, as opposed to in the individual elements themselves.Synergy can be used in all kinds of contexts. A food critic might say that a particular dish is delicious due to the synergy of its ingredients. In the business world, the word synergy is often seen as a kind of buzzword that’s used as a way of referring to what makes a certain project or venture successful.Synergy is also used in a more specific way in the context of medicine to refer to the cooperation of multiple body parts, such as muscles or nerves. It can also refer to the interaction of drugs or other stimuli. The things that cooperate in this way can be called synergists.The word synergism can be used to mean the same thing as synergy. The adjective synergistic can be used to describe a combination that produces such an effect or things that work together in this way.Example: The cooperation between these departments produced a synergy that led to great success.